Television tuner device for processing digital audiovisual content

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a device for receiving a digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite television signal are described herein. For example, a silicon tuner module may be configured to receive a digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite television signal and output a digital bitstream, the digital bitstream may include audio visual content in an encoded transport stream. In a further example, a digital audio video connector may be configured to couple with a display device, the digital audio video connector may be configured to provide the digital bitstream to the display device according to a specification. In another example, a processing module may be configured to control the silicon tuner module in response to a Consumer Electronics Control command received from the display device via the digital audio video connector.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,filed on Oct. 21, 2014, titled MULTISTREAM TUNER STICK DEVICE FORRECEIVING AND STREAMING DIGITAL CONTENT, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments pertain to television tuner devices. Some embodiments relateto consumer electronic display devices, such as televisions, monitors,and the like.

BACKGROUND

Electronic display devices such as televisions, monitors, videoreceivers, and projectors often contain internal television tuners forreceipt of digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite television signals.Increasingly, consumers are using electronic display devices to accessvideo content without using a television tuner. The cost added byinternal tuners to electronic display devices, therefore, is undesirablewhen many consumers do not use them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example tuner device in connection with an examplefurther described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates an electronic display device having audio videoconnectors to connect with a tuner device in connection with an examplefurther described herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates component parts of a tuner device and an electronicdisplay device with a decoder module in connection with an examplefurther described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates component parts of a tuner device with a decodermodule and an electronic display device in connection with an examplefurther described herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a technique to operate a televisiontuner device in connection with an example further described herein;

FIG. 6 provides an illustration of a flowchart of a technique to displaydigital video and digital audio at a remote display device using asignal tuner device in connection with an example further describedherein; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a configuration of an electronic display device inaccordance with an example further described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustratespecific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practicethem. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical,process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodimentsmay be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalentsof those claims.

Traditionally, in the United States, television broadcasts were doneusing an analog National Television System Committee (NTSC) signal. In2009, standards throughout the United States were changed to an AdvancedTelevision Systems Committee (ATSC) digital terrestrial televisionsignal, also known as an over-the-air digital television signal. Othercountries use other various digital signal standards to send digitalterrestrial television signals, such as Digital VideoBroadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T) standard throughout Europe and most ofAsia, Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T)standard in most of South America, and Digital Terrestrial MultimediaBroadcast (DTMB) standard in China. Cable television in the UnitedStates is typically broadcast using a quadrature amplitude modulation(QAM) format. Each of these examples of digital television signals maybe used with a tuner device provided that the tuner device is configuredto interpret the type of signal received.

Some of the embodiments described herein describe a tuner device usedfor the display of audio visual content at an electronic display device.With existing display devices such as televisions and monitors, a tuneris either built in to the device, such as in the case of televisions, oran external tuner device is used, such as in the case of monitors. Thereis a cost added by internal tuners to electronic display devices that isunnecessary if a consumer does not ever use the tuner device. In thecase of monitors, the external tuner devices currently used are largeand cumbersome and take up space on shelves, floors, or in mediacabinets. In another approach, a consumer must use a computer with aspecial television tuner card to view content on a display device. Thisapproach often requires installing software or installing hardwareinside a personal computer, which is complicated and requires sometechnical expertise to do. All of these current approaches lack asingle, unobtrusive, simple to install, easily removable, low costsolution.

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of an example of a tuner device 102including a power connector 104, an antenna configuration 106, a digitalaudio video connector 108A, and a housing 110. In an example shown inFIG. 1, the digital audio video connector 108A may be a High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) connector 108B. The antenna configuration106 may include an external antenna, an internal antenna, an antennaport, or any combination of these examples. In an example, the antennaconfiguration 106 receives a digital terrestrial, cable, or satellitetelevision signal, such as an ATSC digital signal. In an example, thepower connector 104 may be a female Universal Serial Bus (USB) port,configured to receive a USB cable to power the tuner device 102. TheHDMI connector 108B may send and receive data, such as a digitalbitstream or unencoded video to and from an external device. The HDMIconnector 108B includes 19 pins as is in a standard HDMI connector head.In an example, the HDMI connector 108B may send and receive a devicecontrol command (e.g., a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) command),such as using pin 13 according to some configurations of the HDMIconnector 108B. In another example, the digital audio video connector108A may be a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) compliant connectorconfigured to connect to an HDMI port. The MHL connector may beconfigured to receive power for the tuner device 102 as well as toreceive data. When the MHL connector is configured to receive power, thepower connector 104 may be unused or actually omitted from the tunerdevice 102.

In an example, the tuner device 102 may include a housing 110, such as acase made of a material or combination of materials such as metal,plastic, or the like. The housing 110 may be substantially rectangularor may have a unique shape such as an “S”, an oval, or the like. In someexamples, the tuner device 102 may also include an Ethernet port 112.The Ethernet port 112 may be used to connect to a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, or the like. The tunerdevice 102 may also include an internal or external wireless antenna or,as depicted, a wireless antenna port 114. The wireless antenna orwireless antenna port 114 may be used to connect to a wireless network,such as using Wi-Fi, or a connection with another device, such as usingWi-Fi Direct, or the like. In an example, the wireless antenna orwireless antenna port 114 may be used to transmit digital video anddigital audio to a remote display device, such as a desktop computer,laptop, tablet, phone, or the like. In some examples, the tuner device102 may receive a terrestrial, cable, or satellite transport stream,convert the transport stream to a digital bitstream, transcode thedigital bitstream to digital video and digital audio and send thedigital video and digital audio to the wireless antenna or wirelessantenna port 114 to transmit to the remote display device.

FIG. 2 provides an illustration of a television tuner and display system200 illustrating a display device 202 and a tuner device 204. As shownin FIG. 2, the display device 202 includes a standard HDMI connector 206and a MHL enabled HDMI connector, referred to herein as a MHL connector208. The tuner device 204 may be similar to the tuner device 102 ofFIG. 1. In an example, the tuner device 204 may connect to the displaydevice 202 using the standard HDMI connector 206. The tuner device 204,may connect to the standard HDMI connector 206 using a digital audiovideo connector 108A, such as the HDMI connector 108B, and may bepowered by a cord connected to the power connector 104 of FIG. 1. Thepower for the tuner device 204 when using the HDMI connector 108B maycome from a USB port 210 on the display device 202 configured forconnection with a USB cable connected to the tuner device 204. The USBport 210 may provide low voltage power for the tuner device 204, whichmay receive the low voltage input for powering the silicon tuner moduleand the processing module.

In another example, the tuner device 204 may connect to the displaydevice 202 using the MHL connector 208. The tuner device 204, mayconnect to the MHL connector 208 using a digital audio video connector108A, such as a MHL connector, and may send data over, receive dataover, and be powered by, the MHL connector as described above. The MHLconnector 208 may provide low voltage power for the tuner device 204,which may receive the low voltage input for powering the silicon tunermodule and the processing module. The MHL connector 208 may also use astandard communication protocol, such as a device control command (e.g.,a Remote Control Protocol (RCP) command) to communicate with the tunerdevice 204. A device control command as used herein may refer to a RCPcommand or a CEC command (among other types of device control commands)and either a RCP command or a CEC command may be used in conjunctionwith the other (or instead of the other).

In a further example, the display system 200 may include operation of aremote display device 212. The remote display device 212 may be a phone,tablet, computer, monitor, television, or the like. The remote displaydevice 212 may connect to the tuner device 204 using a wirelessconnection or a USB connection. In an example, the tuner device 204 maysend digital video and digital audio to the remote display device 212,such as by using a transceiver on the tuner device 204 and a transceiveron the remote display device 212. A transceiver on the remote displaydevice 212 may receive digital video and digital audio from the tunerdevice 204. In an example, a transceiver on the remote display device212 may send a signal including an identifier of a specified channel tothe tuner device 204 and may receive digital video and digital audiocorresponding to the identifier of a specified channel from the tunerdevice 204. In an example, a transceiver on the remote display device212 may send digital video and digital audio content that is received bya transceiver of the tuner device 204, for example, to display or “cast”content from the remote display device 212 to the tuner device 204, thatis then processed and output for display on the display device 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates component parts of a television signal tuner device302 and an electronic display device 322 with a decoder module 318. Thetelevision signal tuner device 302 may be similar to the tuner devices102 and 204 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. The electronic displaydevice 322 may be similar to the display device 202 of FIG. 2. In FIG.3, the television signal tuner device 302 includes a silicon tunermodule 306, a demodulator module 308, a processing module 310 configuredto adjust the silicon tuner module 306 and the demodulator module 308,and a digital audio video connector 312. The television signal tunerdevice 302 may also include an antenna 304, an antenna port forconnecting to an external antenna, or both. In FIG. 3, the electronicdisplay device 322 includes a system on a chip (SOC) 316 and the SOC 316is configured to include a decoder module 318 and a processor 320. TheSOC 316 may also include a digital to analog converter or an analog todigital converter. The SOC 316 may include any of the components of thetelevision signal tuner device 302, for example to replace or toduplicate any component of the television signal tuner device 302. Thetelevision signal tuner device 302 may be used with a television notspecially configured for use with the television signal tuner device302, for example, one having a SOC that duplicates one or morecomponents of the television signal tuner device 302. The televisionsignal tuner device 302 may also be used with a television speciallyconfigured to not duplicate all of the components of the televisionsignal tuner device 302, although the television in this example mayduplicate one or more components in its SOC. The electronic displaydevice 322 also includes a digital audio video connector 314, configuredto couple to the television signal tuner device 302 using the digitalaudio video connector 312 as shown in the television signal tuner device302.

In an example, the television signal tuner device 302 may output adigital bitstream, such as a transport stream to the electronic displaydevice 322 using the digital audio video connector 312 to connect to thedigital audio video connector 314. The digital bitstream may becompressed or uncompressed video or audio and may be encoded. Thedigital bitstream may also have a standard format according to aspecification, such as a transport stream, a Moving Picture ExpertsGroup (MPEG) transport stream (MPEG-TS or MPEG-2 transport stream). AMPEG transport stream may also include, in addition to audio or videodata, Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) data. The PSIP datamay include ATSC metadata about a channel or channels in the MPEGtransport stream, such as a title, description, or the like. The digitalbitstream may include other metadata as well, such as channelinformation. The digital bitstream may be encoded and the decoder module318 on the electronic display device 322 may decode the digitalbitstream.

In an example, the demodulator module 308 may demodulate the digitalbitstream or the digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite televisionsignal. The demodulation may include separating a video component and anaudio component. Frequency modulation or manipulation may also be donefor the video component or the audio component or both together. Thedemodulator module 308 may decompress a video or audio component. Inanother example, the television signal tuner device 302 may include ananalog to digital converter or a digital to analog converter forconverting the digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite televisionsignal, the digital bitstream, or any other data from an analog signalto a digital signal or from a digital signal to an analog signal. Thetelevision signal tuner device 302 may include multiple analog todigital converters or multiple digital to analog converters tomanipulate multiple data signals or manipulate data signals at differenttimes. The electronic display device 322 may also include one or moreanalog to digital converters or one or more digital to analogconverters.

In an example, the components of the television signal tuner device 302may be incorporated into another device, such as a digital video disc(DVD) player, Blu-ray player, a video game console, a home entertainmentbox, a digital video recorder (DVR), or the like. The television signaltuner device 302 may also be connected to an intermediary device usingthe digital audio video connector 312, such as those devices describedabove, instead of connecting directly to the electronic display device322. In another example, the television signal tuner device 302 mayinclude additional features or components, such as a digital videorecorder, software, a user interface module, additional digital audiovideo connectors, additional power or data connectors, memory, or thelike. The television signal tuner device 302 may send additionalinformation to the television using the digital audio video connector312, such as images, commands, or other data. The components of thetelevision signal tuner device 302 may be included on a system on a chipor as separate components or in some combination of the two.

The television signal tuner device 302 may have a wireless communicationmodule that may use wireless communication standards over respectivewireless mediums, including Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Wi-Fi),3GPP Long Term Evolution/Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE/LTE-A), IEEE802.16 (WiMAX), WirelessHD, Wi-Fi Direct, Wireless Home DigitalInterface (WHDI), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Digital AudioAccess Protocol (DAAP), Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), infrared (IR),radio frequency (RF), or the like communications which may be definedaccording to respective standards families and standards groups. Thetelevision signal tuner device 302 may include an over-the-top modulesconfigured to receive over-the-top content, such as internet streamingvideo services, internet radio, or the like. For example, the televisionsignal tuner device 302 may include an internet video module configuredto display streaming video, such as Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, or the like.In another example, the television signal tuner device 302 may include asoftware module configured to provide applications (apps) to a user.

In an example, the television signal tuner device 302 may include avoice control module for receiving voice commands from a user. The voicecontrol module may allow a user to change channels, adjust volume up ordown, or otherwise change the output of the television signal tunerdevice 302. Additional features may be included in the television signaltuner device 302, such as wireless audio functionality to send audio toremote speakers, an integrated channel map or guide, a list of receivedchannels, a list of online virtual channels or streaming programs, acombination of channels from any of the above, or the like.

In an example, the television signal tuner device 302 may include amodule configured to receive a peer-to-peer wireless screencastingsignal, such as in a Wi-Fi Direct format (e.g., a Miracast standardwireless communication). The Wi-Fi Direct connection may be used by thetelevision signal tuner device 302 to receive an audio-visual signalfrom a desktop personal computer, tablet, mobile phone, or the like. Thetelevision signal tuner device 302 may convert the received signal fromthe Miracast standard to a digital bitstream and output the digitalbitstream on the digital audio video connector 312 to the electronicdisplay device 322. The signal from a device sent using the Miracaststandard may be displayed on the electronic display device 322 inreal-time or near real-time. The television signal tuner device 302 mayinclude a module to output a graphical user interface to display optionsfor choosing a Miracast signal if more than one is present.

FIG. 4 illustrates component parts of a television signal tuner device402 with a decoder module 418 and an electronic display device 422. Thetelevision signal tuner device 402 may be similar to the tuner devices102, 204, and 302 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The electronicdisplay device 422 may be similar to the display device 202 of FIG. 2and the electronic display device 322 of FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, thetelevision signal tuner device 402 includes a silicon tuner module 406,a demodulator module 408, a decoder module 418, a processing module 410configured to adjust the silicon tuner module 406, the demodulatormodule 408, and the decoder module 418, and a digital audio videoconnector 412. The television signal tuner device 402 may also includean antenna 404, an antenna port for connecting to an external antenna,or both. The antenna port may include a cable connector, such as acoaxial cable or other shielded cable.

In FIG. 4, the electronic display device 422 includes a televisionsystem on a chip (SOC) 416 and the SOC 416 is configured to include aprocessor 420. The television signal tuner device 402 may be used with atelevision not specially configured for use with the television signaltuner device 402, for example, one having a SOC that duplicates one ormore components of the television signal tuner device 402. Thetelevision signal tuner device 402 may also be used with a televisionspecially configured to not duplicate all of the components of thetelevision signal tuner device 402, although the television in thisexample may duplicate one or more components in its SOC. The electronicdisplay device 422 also includes a HDMI/MHL digital audio videoconnector 414, configured to couple to the television signal tunerdevice 402 using the digital audio video connector 412 as shown in thetelevision signal tuner device 402 of FIG. 4.

In an example, the television signal tuner device 402 may output digitalvideo and digital audio to the electronic display device 422 using thedigital audio video connector 412 to connect to the HDMI/MHL digitalaudio video connector 414. The digital bitstream may be compressed oruncompressed video or audio. In an example, the digital audio videoconnector 412 may output unencoded (decoded) compressed and decompressedvideo data and unencoded (decoded) compressed and decompressed audiodata to the electronic display device 422. The digital bitstream mayalso have a standard format according to a specification, such as aMoving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) decoded video and audio stream. Thedigital bitstream may be a decoded audio video stream and may alsoinclude, in addition to audio or video data, metadata, such as a title,description, or the like. In an example, the digital bitstream may bedecoded by the decoder module 418, on the television signal tuner device402, before being sent to the electronic display device 422 using thedigital audio video connector 412 and the HDMI/MHL digital audio videoconnector 414. The decoded audio video data may be viewed directly onthe electronic display device 422 without further decoding ordemodulation.

In an example, the demodulator module 408 may demodulate the digitalbitstream or the digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite televisionsignal. The demodulation may include separating a video component and anaudio component. Frequency modulation or manipulation may also be donefor the video component or the audio component or both together. Thedemodulator module 408 may decompress a video or audio component. Inanother example, the television signal tuner device 402 may include ananalog to digital converter or a digital to analog converter forconverting the digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite televisionsignal, the digital bitstream, or any other data from an analog signalto a digital signal or from a digital signal to an analog signal. Thetelevision signal tuner device 402 may include multiple analog todigital converters or multiple digital to analog converters tomanipulate multiple data signals or manipulate data signals at differenttimes. The electronic display device 422 may also include one or moreanalog to digital converters or one or more digital to analogconverters.

FIG. 5 provides an illustration of a flowchart 500 for a technique tooperate a television tuner device according to an example. First, adigital terrestrial, cable, or satellite television signal is receivedat a television signal tuner device (operation 502). The digitalterrestrial, cable, or satellite television signal is then converted toa digital bitstream (operation 504). After converting, the technique mayinclude sending the digital bitstream to a display device via a digitalaudio video connector, the digital bitstream including audio visualcontent in an encoded transport stream (operation 506) or may includedecoding the digital bitstream (operation 508) and sending the digitalbitstream to a display device via a HDMI/MHL digital audio videoconnector, the digital bitstream including audio visual content in anunencoded transport stream (operation 510). The technique may alsoinclude receiving a device control command (e.g., a consumer electronicscontrol (CEC) or a remote control protocol (RCP) command) from thedisplay device via the digital audio video connector (operation 512) andcontrolling a silicon tuner in the television signal tuner device inresponse to receiving the device control (e.g., CEC/RCP) command(operation 514).

In an example, the television signal tuner device may include a moduleto output a graphical user interface to display options for choosing achannel, adjusting the volume up or down, or otherwise changing theoutput of the television signal tuner device in response to the devicecontrol command. Other commands specific to the television or televisionsignal tuner device may also be communicated in connection with theprocessing and communication of such device control commands.

For purposes of communicating using HDMI/MHL device control (e.g.,CEC/RCP) commands, the television signal tuner device may broadcast alogical address associated with its physical address to the displaydevice. For example, the display device may have a physical address of0.0.0.0 and a logical address of 0 and the television signal tunerdevice may have a physical address of 2.2.0.0 and a logical address of3, or otherwise according to a specification, such as the CEC standarddetailed in a HDMI specification, (e.g., HDMI release version 1.0 orlater) or the RCP standard detailed in a MHL specification (e.g., MHLrelease version 1.0 or later). A device control command sent from thedisplay device to the television signal tuner device may include adevice identification command, a “user control pressed” command tosimulate remote control codes, and an action command. For example, thedevice control command may instruct the television signal tuner deviceto play a channel, change a channel, change a volume control, go to amenu, change output mode (e.g., switch to digital terrestrial, cable, orsatellite television signals, Miracast, online streaming, DVR, etc.), ornavigate a menu. Device control commands may also be used to turn thetelevision signal tuner device on or off, activate or deactivate videoor audio, activate or deactivate a user interface, or the like. In anexample, the television signal tuner device may send a device controlcommand to control the display device, such as to adjust a volumesetting, turn the display device on or off, change the input of thedisplay device (e.g., to or from the television signal tuner deviceoutput), activate or deactivate a user interface, change an audio outputdevice or format, change a video display format, or the like. In anotherexample, a remote control transceiver may send any of the above devicecontrol commands to and from the display device and to and from thetelevision signal tuner device, acting as an intermediary. In anexample, according to a CEC command standard in the HDMI specification,a device may be either a sink or a source. In an example, the displaydevice may be a sink and the television signal tuner device may be asource. The sink may receive audio visual content from the source. Thedisplay device may use a processor to determine whether a deviceconnected to an HDMI connector is an HDMI device or a MHL device. Adevice identification (device ID) for the signal tuner device may beused by a processor in the display device to determine if the signaltuner device is HDMI capable or MHL capable or both. The device ID mayalso allow a processor in the display to determine other capabilities ofthe device. A HDMI capable signal tuner device may be powered using aUSB cord, connected to the signal tuner device on one end and a walloutlet converter or a display device on the other end. A MHL capablesignal tuner device may be powered using the MHL connection with thedisplay device.

FIG. 6 provides an illustration of a flowchart 600 of a technique todisplay digital video and digital audio at a remote display device usinga signal tuner device. As shown, the technique is initiated byreceiving, at a signal tuner device, a digital terrestrial, cable, orsatellite television signal (operation 602). The process may includeconverting the digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite televisionsignal to a digital bitstream, and may further include operations tooutput a digital bitstream, the digital bitstream including audio visualcontent in an encoded transport stream (operation 604). The techniqueincludes receiving the digital bitstream at a transcoder (operation 606)and transcoding or transforming the digital bitstream to digital videoand digital audio, such as digital video and digital audio correspondingto a specified channel (operation 608). The technique also includestransmitting the digital video and digital audio to a remote displaydevice, such as a tablet, desktop computer, laptop, phone, etc.(operation 610). The technique includes displaying the digital video anddigital audio at the remote display device (operation 612). In anexample, the technique may include receiving a device control command(e.g., a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) or a Remote Control Protocol(RCP) command) from a display device via the digital audio videoconnector, and controlling a silicon tuner or other displayfunctionality in the television signal tuner device in response toreceiving the device control (e.g., CEC or RCP) command. In furtherexamples, the television signal tuner device may receive controlcommands from the remote display device.

In an example, a signal tuner device may include modes. The modes mayinclude a first mode and a second mode. For example, when in the firstmode, the signal tuner device may transmit digital video and digitalaudio to a remote display device over a wireless connection (e.g., Wi-FiDirect, Bluetooth, etc.). When in the second mode, the signal tunerdevice may send digital video and digital audio to a local displaydevice, such as via a digital audio video connector. The signal tunerdevice may change between the first mode and the second mode, forexample in response to receiving a device control command (e.g., IRsignal, RF signal, CEC/RCP command, etc.). In an example, when thesignal tuner device receives a digital control command to change modesfrom the first mode to the second mode, the signal tuner device maycease transmitting the digital video and digital audio to the remotedisplay device. Similarly, when the signal tuner device receives adigital control command to change modes from the second mode to thefirst mode, the signal tuner device may cease sending the digital videoand digital audio to the local display device.

In another example, the signal tuner device may send digital video anddigital audio to a local display device via a digital audio videoconnector and then receive a device control command from a local displaydevice via the digital audio video connector, from a remote controldevice over a wireless connection, from a remote display device over awireless connection, or the like. In response to receiving the devicecontrol command, the signal tuner device may transmit digital video anddigital audio to a remote display device. In an example, the signaltuner device may transmit digital video and digital audio substantiallysimultaneously to multiple remote display devices. In another example,the signal tuner device may transmit or send digital video and digitalaudio concurrently (e.g., substantially simultaneously) via a wirelessconnection to a remote display device and via a digital audio videoconnector to a local display device. In another example, the signaltuner device may transmit concurrently (e.g., substantiallysimultaneously) to multiple remote display devices or multiple localdisplay devices or any combination of remote display devices and localdisplay devices.

The operations exemplified in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be performed in anyorder and may be combined with other operations not shown. Further, theoperations exemplified in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be performed among multipleprocessing units, hardware modules, or devices.

FIG. 7 provides an illustration of a block diagram 700 for an examplearchitecture for operation with a display device 702, configured forimplementing the example techniques described herein. In some examples,the display device 702 may include an output screen (not shown) such asa liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display,organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, cathode ray tube display,plasma display panel, or digital light processing (DLP) display, todirectly provide an audiovisual output. In some examples, the displaydevice 702 may include functionality to directly receive user input withuse of the output screen, such as with use of a touch screen inputmechanism, or the display device 702 may receive user input inconnection with other input processing components such as a video cameraand video processing system configured to perform gesture-baseddetection and movement.

As shown, the display device 702 is coupled to one or more ofaudiovisual content sources, accessed through an analog processingcomponent such as a tuner, a digital video processing component, or adigital audio processing component. The display device 702 may alsoreceive content using a network interface module 726A, to establish aconnection to receive content from the internet 734 via a local areanetwork or wide area network connection 732. The signal tuner device 724may also optionally receive content using a network interface module726B, to establish a connection to receive content from the internet 734via a local area network or wide area network connection 732. In anexample, the signal tuner device 724 and the display device 702 may usethe network interface module 726A and the network interface module 726Bto connect to the same or different local area networks or wide areanetworks to connect to the internet 734. The network interface modules726A or 726B may include or may connect to a local area network (LAN)connector.

The display device 702 is further configured to receive interaction witha remote or other user input control via infrared (IR), radio frequency(RF), Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE 802.11 standard), or similar wirelesscommunication using the remote control module 718 and provide control ofdevice operations through use of the processor 706. In an example, theremote control module 718 may communicate with a remote control device750. The remote control device 750 may include a transceiver 752 fortransmitting or receiving signals, such as IR, RF, or Wi-Fi commands.The remote control device 750 may also include a processor 754 and aninput module 756. The input module 756 may include buttons, a userinterface, a display device, or the like for receiving commands from auser. In another example, the remote control device 750 may communicatedirectly with the signal tuner device 724.

The display device 702 has a digital audio video connector 722A that,using a digital audio video connector 722B, connects to the signal tunerdevice 724. Using the digital audio video connector 722A, the displaydevice 702 may send commands using device control (e.g., CEC/RCP)communication 728 to interact with a signal tuner device 724. Thedisplay device 702 may control the signal tuner device 724 or a silicontuner module 730 via a device control (e.g., CEC/RCP) command using thedevice control (e.g., CEC/RCP) communication 728 between the digitalaudio video connector 722A and the digital audio video connector 722B.The display device 702 may receive a command using the remote controlmodule 718 and convert the command to a device control (e.g., CEC/RCP)command and use that device control (e.g., CEC/RCP) command to controlany of the components of the signal tuner device 724. The signal tunerdevice 724 may include an antenna or antenna port 744 for receiving adigital terrestrial, cable, or satellite television signal and outputthat signal as a digital bitstream or digital video and digital audio746. The digital bitstream or digital video and digital audio 746 may besent from the signal tuner device 724 using the digital audio videoconnector 722B to display device 702 using the digital audio videoconnector 722A. The digital bitstream or digital video and digital audio746 may include encoded, decoded, or unencoded audio visual content, anaudio video transport stream, or the like.

A silicon tuner module 730 and demodulation module 736 may also beincluded in the signal tuner device 724 for manipulating the digitalbitstream. The signal tuner device 724 may optionally include a decodermodule 738 or a decoder module may optionally be included in a system ona chip (SOC) 720. The signal tuner device 724 may also include aprocessing module 740 and memory 742 to provide audio visual content andrespond to user interactions with the display device 702. The silicontuner module 730 or the demodulation module 736 may include a filter,such as a radio frequency filter or a filter to convert a signal to anintermediate frequency, a baseband frequency, or the like.

The operations of the display device 702 may be implemented through useof a display controller 704, processor 706, memory 708, and storagecomponent 710. The processor 706 may be operably coupled to the displaycontroller 704, the memory 708, and the storage component 710, tofacilitate operations of an operating system 712, graphical userinterface 714, and one or more software application(s) 716. For example,instructions for execution of the graphical user interface 714 and thesoftware application(s) 716 may be provided in the storage component710, loaded into the memory 708, and executed by the processor 706.

The operating system 712 may provide various functions and features tofacilitate operation of the graphical user interface 714 and the varioussoftware application(s) 716, including the interface and applications toimplement the input selection mechanisms and on-screen displayconfigurations described herein. The operating system 712, graphicaluser interface 714, and software application(s) 716 may be configuredfor upgrading through either a local connection and commands (e.g., auniversal serial bus (USB) port) or a remote connection and commands(e.g., an internet service) to obtain and deploy upgraded software.

In an example, a remote receiver device may be configured to couple tothe signal tuner device 724 and the display device 702. For example, theremote receiver device may be coupled between the signal tuner device724 and the display device 702 such that the display device 702 may senda device control (e.g., CEC/RCP) command to the signal tuner device 724using the remote receiver device as an intermediary. In another example,the remote receiver device may receive a signal from another source,such as an infrared or other command from a remote control device. Theremote receiver may then send a device control (e.g., CEC/RCP) commandto the signal tuner device 724 and may optionally sending an indicationto the display device 702 or may not send an indication to the displaydevice 702. For example, the remote receiver device may couple to thesignal tuner device 724 and the display device 702 and receive a signalfrom a remote control device, the signal including a specified channel.The remote receiver device may send information about the specifiedchannel to the signal tuner device 724 using a device control (e.g.,CEC/RCP) command. The silicon tuner module 730 may use the antenna orantenna port 744 of the signal tuner device 724 to receive and filterthe specified channel into a digital bitstream. In an example, theremote receiver device may communicate with the remote control device750.

The signal tuner device 724 may optionally include a Wi-Fi module 748.The Wi-Fi module 748 may communicate with a router or directly with adevice, such as a tablet, computer, phone, or other display device. Anyof the Wi-Fi module 748, the antenna or antenna port 744, the processingmodule 740, the decoder module 738, the processor 706, or the SOC 720,may include transcoders for encoding, decoding, or transcoding transportstreams, video, audio, data, or the like.

In another example, the signal tuner device 724 may include a transcodermodule 758. The transcoder module 758 may include an encoder, a decoder,a transcoder or the like. The transcoder module 758 may include atranscoder configured to decompress a video compression format, such ash.264 or MPEG-4. The transcoder module 758 may receive an input of adigital bitstream and output digital video and digital audio. Thetranscoder module 758 may output digital video and digital audiocorresponding to a specified channel. The signal tuner device mayreceive an input of a terrestrial, cable, or satellite television signaland, using the transcoder, output an h.264 video format and stream thath.264 video format over Wi-Fi or via a LAN to a remote display device,such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

In an example, the signal tuner device 724 may include a transceiver760. The transceiver 760 may include a receiver, a transmitter, or thelike. The transceiver 760 may transmit or receive digital video anddigital audio, a digital bitstream, instructions, or other data. Thetransceiver 760 may communicate with a remote display device, a localdisplay device, or a remote control device. A remote control device maysend a signal that is received by the transceiver 760. The signalreceived by (e.g., sent to) the transceiver 760 may include informationabout a specified channel, a volume or channel indication (e.g., arelative or absolute change), a power indication (e.g., turn on or turnoff), or the like. When the transceiver 760 receives a signal includingan identifier of a specified channel, the transceiver 760 may send theidentifier of the specified channel to the display device 702 using adevice control (e.g., CEC/RCP) command. The transceiver 760 may alsosend the identifier of the specified channel to the silicon tuner module730 or the processing module 740 to change the channel, or control otherfunctionality of the signal tuner device 724 or the display device 702.

Embodiments of the techniques and configurations may be implementedwithin a variety of systems and display devices, including televisions,monitors, projectors, and other video display screens, in addition todisplay devices without a screen or other direct video output. Otherdevices which provide a line-out or stream audiovisual signals may alsobe used in connection with the user interface described herein. As usedherein, audio visual content refers to content including both audio andvisual characteristics, as well as content providing exclusively audiocharacteristics or exclusively visual characteristics.

Embodiments may be implemented in connection with wired and wirelessnetworks, across a variety of digital and mediums. Although some of thepreviously described techniques and configurations were provided withreference to implementations of consumer electronic devices with wiredor physically coupled digital signal connections, these techniques andconfigurations may also be applicable to display of content fromwireless digital sources from a variety of local area wirelessmultimedia networks and network content accesses using WLANs, WWANs, andwireless communication standards. Further, the previously describedtechniques and configurations are not limited to input sources providedfrom a direct analog or digital signal, but may be applied used with anynumber of multimedia streaming applications and protocols to providedisplay content over an input link.

Embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware,firmware, and software. Embodiments may also be implemented asinstructions stored on a machine-readable storage device, which may beread and executed by at least one processor to perform the operationsdescribed herein. A machine-readable storage device may include anynon-transitory mechanism for storing information in a form readable by amachine (e.g., a computer or other processor-driven display device). Forexample, a machine-readable storage device may include read-only memory(ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, opticalstorage media, flash-memory devices, and other storage devices andmedia. In some embodiments, display devices such as televisions, A/Vreceivers, set-top boxes, and media players may include one or moreprocessors and may be configured with instructions stored on suchmachine-readable storage devices.

VARIOUS NOTES & EXAMPLES

Additional examples of the presently described method, system, anddevice embodiments are suggested according to the structures andtechniques described herein. Other non-limiting examples may beconfigured to operate separately, or may be combined in any permutationor combination with any one or more of the other examples provided aboveor throughout the present disclosure.

Example 1 includes the subject matter embodied by a television signaltuner device comprising: a silicon tuner module configured to receive adigital terrestrial television signal and output a digital bitstream,the digital bitstream including audio visual content in an encodedtransport stream, a digital audio video connector configured to couplewith a display device, the digital audio video connector configured toprovide the digital bitstream to the display device according to aspecification, and a processing module configured to control the silicontuner module in response to a device control command received from thedisplay device via the digital audio video connector.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 may optionally includewherein the digital audio video connector is a High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) connector and the device control command isa HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) command, and the televisionsignal tuner device further comprising a power input source configuredto receive a low voltage input for the silicon tuner module and theprocessing module.

In Example 3, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples1-2 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connector isa Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connector, and the device controlcommand is a MHL Remote Control Protocol (RCP) command, and thetelevision signal tuner device further configured to receive power forthe silicon tuner module and the processing module via the MHLconnector.

In Example 4, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples1-3 may optionally include wherein the device is configured to output asignal including audio, video, and Program and System InformationProtocol data in a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Transport Stream.

In Example 5, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples1-4 may optionally include further comprising an antenna or an antennaport.

In Example 6, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples1-5 may optionally include wherein the digital terrestrial televisionsignal is an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) signal.

In Example 7, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples1-6 may optionally include wherein the silicon tuner module comprises aradio frequency filter.

In Example 8, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples1-7 may optionally include further comprising, a demodulation moduleconfigured to demodulate a digital video component and a digital audiocomponent of the digital terrestrial television signal.

Example 9 includes the subject matter embodied by a television signaltuner device comprising: a silicon tuner module configured to receive adigital terrestrial television signal and output a digital bitstream,the digital bitstream including audio visual content, a decoder moduleconfigured to transform the digital bitstream to digital video anddigital audio corresponding to a specified channel, a digital audiovideo connector configured to couple with a display device, the digitalaudio video connector configured to provide the digital video anddigital audio to the display device according to a specification, and aprocessing module configured to control the silicon tuner module inresponse to a device control command received from the display devicevia the digital audio video connector.

In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 9 may optionally includewherein the digital audio video connector is a High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) connector and the device control command isa HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) command, and the televisionsignal tuner device further comprising a power input source configuredto receive a low voltage input for the silicon tuner module and theprocessing module.

In Example 11, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples9-10 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connector isa Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connector and the device controlcommand is a MHL Remote Control Protocol (RCP) command, and thetelevision signal tuner device further configured to receive power forthe silicon tuner module and the processing module via the MHLconnector.

In Example 12, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples9-11 may optionally include further comprising an antenna or an antennaport.

In Example 13, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples9-12 may optionally include wherein the digital terrestrial televisionsignal is an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) signal.

In Example 14, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples9-13 may optionally include wherein the silicon tuner module comprises aradio frequency filter.

In Example 15, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples9-14 may optionally include further comprising, a demodulation moduleconfigured to demodulate a digital video component and a digital audiocomponent of the digital terrestrial television signal.

Example 16 includes the subject matter embodied by a method of operationfor a television tuner device comprising: receiving, at a televisionsignal tuner device, a digital terrestrial television signal, convertingthe digital terrestrial television signal to a digital bitstream,sending the digital bitstream to a display device via a digital audiovideo connector, the digital bitstream including audio visual content inan encoded transport stream, receiving a device control command from thedisplay device via the digital audio video connector, and controlling asilicon tuner in the television signal tuner device in response toreceiving the device control command.

In Example 17, the subject matter of Example 16 may optionally includewherein the digital audio video connector is a High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) connector and the device control command isa HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) command, and wherein thetelevision signal tuner device is configured to receive a low voltageinput at a power input source.

In Example 18, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples16-17 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connectoris a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connector and the device controlcommand is a MHL Remote Control Protocol (RCP) command, and wherein thetelevision signal tuner device is configured to receive power via theMHL connector.

In Example 19, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples16-18 may optionally include wherein the digital terrestrial televisionsignal is an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) signal.

In Example 20, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples16-19 may optionally include wherein the television signal tuner deviceincludes a radio frequency filter.

In Example 21, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples16-20 may optionally include further comprising demodulating a digitalvideo stream and a digital audio stream from the digital terrestrialtelevision signal.

Example 22 includes the subject matter embodied by a system comprising:a signal tuner device, comprising: a silicon tuner module configured toreceive a digital terrestrial television signal and output a digitalbitstream, the digital bitstream including audio visual content in anencoded transport stream, and a display device configured to couple withthe signal tuner device, the display device comprising: a processorconfigured to send a device control command to the signal tuner devicevia a digital audio video connector, and a display screen to displayaudio visual content from the digital bitstream.

In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 22 may optionally includefurther comprising a remote receiver device configured to: couple to thesignal tuner device and the display device, receive a signal from aremote control device, the signal including an identifier of a specifiedchannel, send the identifier of the specified channel to the signaltuner device using a device control command.

In Example 24, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples22-23 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connectoris a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector the devicecontrol command is a HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) command,and the signal tuner device further comprising a power input sourceconfigured to receive a low voltage input for the silicon tuner module.

In Example 25, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples22-24 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connectoris a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connector and the device controlcommand is a MHL Remote Control Protocol (RCP) command, and the signaltuner device further configured to receive power for the silicon tunermodule via the MHL connector.

Example 26 includes the subject matter embodied by a television signaltuner device, comprising: a silicon tuner module configured to receive adigital terrestrial television signal and output a digital bitstream,the digital bitstream including audio visual content, a transcodermodule configured to convert the digital bitstream from a first encodingto a second encoding for digital video and digital audio correspondingto a tuned channel, a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit thedigital video and digital audio to a remote display device, and adigital audio video connector configured to couple with a local displaydevice, the digital audio video connector configured to provide thedigital video and digital audio to the display device.

In Example 27, the subject matter of Example 26 may optionally includefurther comprising, a processing module configured to control thesilicon tuner module in response to a device control command receivedfrom the local display device via the digital audio video connector.

In Example 28, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples26-27 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connectoris a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector and thedevice control command is a HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)command, and the television signal tuner device further comprising apower input source configured to receive a low voltage input for thesilicon tuner module and the processing module.

In Example 29, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples26-28 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connectoris a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connector and the device controlcommand is a MHL Remote Control Protocol (RCP) command, and thetelevision signal tuner device further configured to receive power forthe silicon tuner module and the processing module via the MHLconnector.

In Example 30, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples26-29 may optionally include further comprising an antenna or an antennaport.

In Example 31, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples26-30 may optionally include wherein the digital terrestrial televisionsignal is an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) signal.

In Example 32, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples26-31 may optionally include wherein the silicon tuner module comprisesa radio frequency filter.

In Example 33, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples26-32 may optionally include further comprising, a demodulation moduleconfigured to demodulate a digital video component and a digital audiocomponent of the digital terrestrial television signal.

In Example 34, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples26-33 may optionally include wherein the transceiver is configured to:receive a signal from the remote display device, the signal including anidentifier of a specified virtual channel, and wherein to convert thedigital bitstream, the transcoder module is configured to convert thedigital bitstream from a first encoding to a second encoding for digitalvideo and digital audio corresponding to the specified virtual channel.

Example 35 includes the subject matter embodied by a method of operationfor a television tuner device, comprising: receiving, at a televisionsignal tuner device, a digital terrestrial television signal, convertingthe digital terrestrial television signal to a digital bitstream,transcoding the digital bitstream to digital video and digital audiocorresponding to a channel, sending the digital video and digital audioto a local display device via a digital audio video connector, receivinga device control command from the local display device via the digitalaudio video connector, and in response to receiving the device controlcommand, transmitting the digital video and digital audio to a remotedisplay device.

In Example 36, the subject matter of Example 35 may optionally includefurther comprising, in response to receiving the device control command,ceasing sending the digital video and digital audio to the local displaydevice.

In Example 37, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples35-36 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connectoris a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector and thedevice control command is a HDMI Consumer Electronic Control (CEC)command, and wherein the television signal tuner device is configured toreceive a low voltage input at a power input source.

In Example 38, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples35-37 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connectoris a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connector and the device controlcommand is a MHL Remote Control Protocol (RCP) command, and wherein thetelevision signal tuner device is configured to receive power via theMHL connector.

In Example 39, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples35-38 may optionally include wherein the digital terrestrial televisionsignal is an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) signal.

In Example 40, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples35-39 may optionally include wherein the television signal tuner deviceincludes a radio frequency filter.

In Example 41, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples35-40 may optionally include further comprising demodulating a digitalvideo stream and a digital audio stream from the digital terrestrialtelevision signal.

In Example 42, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples35-41 may optionally include further comprising: receiving a signal fromthe remote display device, the signal including an identifier of aspecified virtual channel, and wherein transcoding the digital bitstreamincludes transcoding the digital bitstream to digital video and digitalaudio corresponding to the specified virtual channel.

Example 43 includes the subject matter embodied by a system, comprising:a local display device, the local display device comprising, a displayscreen to display audio visual content, a digital audio video connectorport, and a processor configured to send a device control command viathe digital audio video connector port, and a signal tuner device, thesignal tuner device comprising: a silicon tuner module configured toreceive a digital terrestrial television signal and output a digitalbitstream, the digital bitstream including audio visual content in anencoded transport stream, a transcoder module configured to transformthe digital bitstream to digital video and digital audio, a transceiverconfigured to transmit the digital video and digital audio to a remotedisplay device over a wireless connection when the signal tuner deviceis in a first mode, and a digital audio video connector plug connectedto the local display device, the digital audio video connector plugconfigured to send the digital video and digital audio to the localdisplay device when the signal tuner device is in a second mode, andwherein the signal tuner device is configured to receive the devicecontrol command from the local display device.

In Example 44, the subject matter of Example 43 may optionally includewherein in response to receiving the device control command, the signaltuner device is configured to change between the first mode and thesecond mode.

In Example 45, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples43-44 may optionally include further comprising a remote display deviceconfigured to communicate with the signal tuner device over the wirelessconnection, the remote display device comprising: a transceiver toreceive the digital video and digital audio over the wirelessconnection, and a display screen to display the digital video and audio.

In Example 46, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples43-45 may optionally include wherein the transceiver is furtherconfigured to: receive a signal from the remote display device, thesignal including an identifier of a specified virtual channel, andwherein to transform the digital bitstream, the transcoder module isconfigured to transform the digital bitstream to digital video anddigital audio corresponding to the specified virtual channel.

In Example 47, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples43-46 may optionally include wherein the local display device is furtherconfigured to receive a signal from a remote control device, the signalincluding an identifier of a specified virtual channel and send theidentifier of the specified virtual channel to the signal tuner deviceusing another device control command via the digital audio videoconnector.

In Example 48, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples43-47 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connectorplug is a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector plug andthe device control command is a HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)command, the signal tuner device further comprising a power input sourceconfigured to receive a low voltage input for the silicon tuner module.

In Example 49, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples43-48 may optionally include wherein the digital audio video connectorplug is a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connector plug and thedevice control command is a MHL Remote Control Protocol (RCP) command,the signal tuner device further configured to receive power for thesilicon tuner module via the MHL connector plug.

Each of these non-limiting examples may stand on its own, or may becombined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of theother examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” Such examples may include elements in addition tothose shown or described. However, the present inventors alsocontemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described areprovided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examplesusing any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

Method examples described herein may be machine or computer-implementedat least in part. Some examples may include a computer-readable mediumor machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable toconfigure an electronic device to perform methods as described in theabove examples. An implementation of such methods may include code, suchas microcode, assembly language code, a higher-level language code, orthe like. Such code may include computer readable instructions forperforming various methods. The code may form portions of computerprogram products. Further, in an example, the code may be tangiblystored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangiblecomputer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times.Examples of these tangible computer-readable media may include, but arenot limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable opticaldisks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes,memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read onlymemories (ROMs), and the like.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments may be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that suchembodiments may be combined with each other in various combinations orpermutations. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1. A television signal tuner device, comprising: a silicon tuner moduleincluded within an interior of a housing of the television signal tunerdevice, the silicon tuner module configured to receive a digitalterrestrial television signal and output a digital bitstream, thedigital bitstream including audio visual content in an encoded transportstream; a digital audio video connector exposed from an exterior of thehousing of the television signal tuner device, the digital audio videoconnector configured to couple with an external connector port of adisplay device, the digital audio video connector configured to providethe digital bitstream to the display device according to aspecification; and a processing module included within the interior ofthe housing of the television signal tuner device, the processing moduleconfigured to control the silicon tuner module in response to a devicecontrol command received from the display device via the digital audioconnector; wherein the television signal tuner device is external to andseparable from the display device, and wherein the television signaltuner device is removably coupleable to the display device via couplingof the digital audio video connector with the external connector port ofthe display device.
 2. The television signal tuner device of claim 1,wherein the digital audio video connector is a High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) connector and the device control command isa HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) command, the television signaltuner device further comprising a power input source configured toreceive a low voltage input for the silicon tuner module and theprocessing module.
 3. The television signal tuner device of claim 1,wherein the digital audio video connector is a Mobile High-DefinitionLink (MHL) connector and the device control command is a MHL RemoteControl Protocol (RCP) command, the television signal tuner devicefurther configured to receive power for the silicon tuner module and theprocessing module via the MHL connector.
 4. The television signal tunerdevice of claim 1, wherein the television signal tuner device isconfigured to output a signal of the digital bitstream via the digitalaudio video connector, the signal including audio, video, and Programand System Information Protocol data in a Moving Picture Experts Group(MPEG) Transport Stream.
 5. The television signal tuner device of claim1, further comprising an antenna or an antenna port.
 6. The televisionsignal tuner device of claim 1, wherein the digital terrestrialtelevision signal is an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC)signal.
 7. The television signal tuner device of claim 1, wherein thesilicon tuner module includes a radio frequency filter.
 8. Thetelevision signal tuner device of claim 1, further comprising, ademodulation module included within the interior of the housing of thetelevision signal tuner device, the demodulation module configured todemodulate a digital video component and a digital audio component ofthe digital terrestrial television signal.
 9. A television signal tunerdevice, comprising: a silicon tuner module included within an interiorof a housing of the television signal tuner device, the silicon tunermodule configured to receive a digital terrestrial television signal andoutput a digital bitstream, the digital bitstream including audio visualcontent; a decoder module included within the interior of the housing ofthe television signal tuner device, the decoder module configured totransform the digital bitstream to digital video and digital audiocorresponding to a specified channel; a digital audio video connectorexposed from an exterior of the housing of the television signal tunerdevice, the digital audio video connector configured to couple with anexternal connector port of a display device, the digital audio videoconnector configured to provide the digital video and digital audio tothe display device according to a specification; and a processing moduleincluded within the interior of the housing of the television signaltuner device, the processing module configured to control the silicontuner module in response to a device control command received from thedisplay device via the digital audio video connector; wherein thetelevision signal tuner device is external to and separable from thedisplay device, and wherein the television signal tuner device isremovably coupleable to the display device via coupling of the digitalaudio video connector with the external connector port of the displaydevice.
 10. The television signal tuner device of claim 9, wherein thedigital audio video connector is a High-Definition Multimedia Interface(HDMI) connector and the device control command is a HDMI ConsumerElectronics Control (CEC) command, the television signal tuner devicefurther comprising a power input source configured to receive a lowvoltage input for the silicon tuner module and the processing module.11. The television signal tuner device of claim 9, wherein the digitalaudio video connector is a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connectorand the device control command is a MHL Remote Control Protocol (RCP)command, the television signal tuner device further configured toreceive power for the silicon tuner module and the processing module viathe MHL connector.
 12. The television signal tuner device of claim 9,further comprising an antenna or an antenna port.
 13. The televisionsignal tuner device of claim 9, wherein the digital terrestrialtelevision signal is an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC)signal.
 14. The television signal tuner device of claim 9, herein thesilicon tuner module includes a radio frequency filter.
 15. Thetelevision signal tuner device of claim 9, further comprising, ademodulation module included within the interior of the housing of thetelevision signal tuner device, the demodulation module configured todemodulate a digital video component and a digital audio component ofthe digital terrestrial television signal.
 16. A method of operation fora television signal tuner device, comprising: receiving, at thetelevision signal tuner device, a digital terrestrial television signal;converting the digital terrestrial television signal to a digitalbitstream; sending the digital bitstream to an external connector portof a display device via a digital audio video connector, the digitalbitstream including audio visual content in an encoded transport stream;receiving a device control command from the display device via thedigital audio video connector; and controlling a silicon tuner in thetelevision signal tuner device in response to receiving the devicecontrol command; wherein the television signal tuner device is externalto and separable from the display device, and wherein the televisionsignal tuner device is removably coupleable to the display device viacoupling of the digital audio video connector with the externalconnector port of the display device.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the digital audio video connector is a High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) connector and the device control command isa HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) command, and wherein thetelevision signal tuner device is configured to receive a low voltageinput at a power input source.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein thedigital audio video connector is a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL)connector and the device control command is a MHL Remote ControlProtocol (RCP) command, and wherein the television signal tuner deviceis configured to receive power via the MHL connector.
 19. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the digital terrestrial television signal is anAdvanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) signal.
 20. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the television signal tuner device includes a radiofrequency filter.
 21. The method of claim 16, further comprisingdemodulating a digital video stream and a digital audio stream from thedigital terrestrial television signal.
 22. A system, comprising: asignal tuner device, comprising: a digital audio video connector; and asilicon tuner module configured to receive a digital terrestrialtelevision signal and output a digital bitstream via the digital audiovideo connector, the digital bitstream including audio visual content inan encoded transport stream; and a display device configured to couplewith the signal tuner device, the display device comprising: a housing;an digital audio video connector port, the digital audio video connectorconfigured to receive the digital audio video connector of the signaltuner device; a processor configured to send a device control command tothe signal tuner device via the digital audio video connector; and adisplay screen to display audio visual content from the digitalbitstream, the digital bitstream received from the signal tuner devicevia the digital audio video connector port; wherein the signal tunerdevice is external to and separable from the display device, and whereinthe signal tuner device is removably coupleable to the display devicevia coupling of the digital audio video connector with the digital audiovideo connector port of the display device, the digital audio videoconnector port of the display device being exposed from the housing ofthe display device.
 23. A system, comprising: a signal tuner device,comprising: a silicon tuner module to receive a digital terrestrialtelevision signal and output a digital bitstream, the digital bitstreamincluding audio visual content in an encoded transport stream; and adisplay device to couple with the signal tuner device, the displaydevice comprising: a processor configured to send a first device controlcommand to the signal tuner device via a digital audio video connector;and a display screen to display audio visual content from the digitalbitstream; a remote receiver device to: communicatively couple to thesignal tuner device and the display device; receive a signal from aremote control device, the signal including an identifier of a specifiedchannel; and send the identifier of the specified channel to the signaltuner device using a second device control command; wherein the signaltuner device and the remote receiver device are each external to thedisplay device.
 24. The system of claim 22, wherein the digital audiovideo connector is a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)connector and the device control command is a HDMI Consumer ElectronicsControl (CEC) command, the signal tuner device further comprising apower input source configured to receive a low voltage input for thesilicon tuner module.
 25. The system of claim 22, wherein the digitalaudio video connector is a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connectorand the device control command is a MHL Remote Control Protocol (RCP)command, the signal tuner device further configured to receive power forthe silicon tuner module via the MHL connector.
 26. The televisionsignal tuner device of claim 1, wherein the processing module is furtherto receive the device control command including an identifier of aspecified channel, wherein the identifier of the specified channel isused by the silicon tuner module to tune the digital terrestrialtelevision signal.
 27. The television signal tuner device of claim 9,wherein the processing module is further to receive the device controlcommand including an identifier of the specified channel, wherein theidentifier of the specified channel is used by the silicon tuner moduleto tune the digital terrestrial television signal.